Using both staff and volunteer attorneys, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income persons who meet financial guidelines based on 125% of the federal poverty level. LSSP's primary priorities are to ensure that poor people have food, shelter, income and freedom from domestic violence. Legal Services helps people help themselves, by using self-help programs whenever possible to empower clients to represent themselves effectively. Founded in 1967, LSSP serves Cabarrus, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union counties of North Carolina. LSSP does not handle criminal or traffic cases.